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Stage adaptation of Prince’s “Purple Rain” to debut in Minneapolis next year
MINNEAPOLIS — Prince’s “Purple Rain” stage adaptation will make its debut in the late musician’s hometown of Minneapolis before heading to Broadway.
On Tuesday, producer Orin Wolf announced the play will make its world premiere at the Hennepin Theatre Trust’s State Theatre in the spring of 2025. More details on the pre-Broadway engagement, including exact production dates, are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
L. Londell McMillan, Prince’s former manager, says Prince talked about adapting “Purple Rain” for the stage for years.
“It’s only fitting that we launch this world premiere musical version in the city where it all began, Prince’s hometown, Minneapolis,” McMillan said in the announcement’s press release.
Last month, Wolf announced the development of the adaptation based on the 1984 movie and album. Tony Award nominee Lileana Blain-Cruz will direct. A book will also be written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, based on the original screenplay by Albert Magnoli and William Blinn.
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The film version was set in Minneapolis and made $100 million worldwide. The movie also won the Academy Award for Best Original Sound Score. That score — you won’t be surprised to learn — is composed mostly of Prince lyrics and songs. The film featured Prince as a thinly-veiled version of himself, named “The Kid,” as his star rises as the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue.
This won’t be the first Broadway show that made its debut in the Twin Cities. Director Julie Taymor’s multiple-Tony Award-winning musical version of Disney’s “The Lion King” notably got its footing in Minneapolis before moving on to the Great White Way, where it’s been continuously running since 1997.
RELATED: ‘Purple Rain’s Tracks Ranked From Worst To Best
Over the summer, Minnesota’s most famous musician was honored in the city he called home for years. A new highway sign memorializes Prince on the road that rolls right past Paisley Park, Prince’s home and vast recording studio in Chanhassen.
Prince was found dead in 2016 at Paisley Park at the age of 57.
READ MORE: New archival footage surfaces of Prince performing legendary 1983 “Purple Rain” set at First Avenue
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NEW YORK — Drones have been banned from flying over several New Jersey towns, the Federal Aviation Administration confirms to CBS News.
The FAA order covers nearly two dozen towns, including Jersey City, Harrison, Edison, Bayonne and Camden. It will be in effect until Jan. 17.
The order says no unmanned aircraft can operate below 400 feet within one nautical mile of the airspace specified in each area. Additionally, it allows the government to use “deadly force” against the drones if they pose an “imminent security threat.”
“Pilots of aircraft that do not adhere to the procedures in the national security requirements for aircraft operations contained in this section may be intercepted, and/or detained and interviewed by federal, state, or local law enforcement or other government personnel,” the order reads in part.
Several of the zones are centered around infrastructure, like power substations. Others cover areas like the Kearny, New Jersey port and airspace around military installations like Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in South Jersey, or airports such as Newark-Liberty International Airport.
Earlier this month, the Florham Park, New Jersey police chief told residents drone sightings had been reported above “water reservoirs, electric transmission lines, rail stations, police departments, and military installations.”
Where are drones banned in New Jersey?
North Jersey:
- Cedar Grove
- Bridgewater
- North Brunswick
- Metuchen
- South Brunswick
- Edison
- Branchburg
- Sewaren
- Jersey City
- Harrison, Essex County
- Elizabeth
- Bayonne
- Clifton
- Kearny
Central Jersey:
South Jersey:
- Burlington
- Evesham
- Camden
- Gloucester City
- Westampton
- Winslow
- Hancocks Bridge, Salem County
See the full order from the FAA here.
Mysterious drones over New Jersey and beyond
Drones sightings have been reported all month long, first over Morris County, New Jersey and then over several other East Coast states.
Federal, state and local officials have been demanding more information about where they are coming from and what’s being done to stop them. The FBI is leading the investigation and tells CBS News it has received thousands of tips.
While the White House says there is no known threat, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy recently sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking for more federal resources.
On Wednesday, a push from Sen. Chuck Schumer to give local law enforcement more ways to track drones was blocked in the Senate.
Check back soon for the latest updates on this developing story.
contributed to this report.
